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JURY OUT ON `THE SURVIVOR'S' SKILLS.


Byline: Michael Rosenthal Staff Writer

If nothing else, one must admire Robert Alcazar's survival instincts For the biological instinct, see .
"Survival Instinct" is the second episode of the sixth season of the television series . Seven of Nine encounters three Borg, to whom she was previously linked. Plot Synopsis
Voyager is docked at the Markonian Outpost Space Station.
.

Oscar De La Hoya's longtime mentor has been supplanted as lead trainer three times. His credentials have been questioned on countless occasions. Many believe the five-time world champion has succeeded in spite of Alcazar alcazar
 Spanish alcázar

Form of military architecture of medieval Spain, generally rectangular with defensible walls and massive corner towers. Inside was an open space (patio) surrounded by chapels, salons, hospitals, and sometimes gardens.
.

Yet there he is, at De La Hoya's side as the Golden Boy prepares for the most important and lucrative fight of his life: He faces Felix Trinidad here on Saturday.

``That's why they call him `The Survivor,' '' said Rafael Mendoza, a respected boxing consultant who is no fan of Alcazar's.

Alcazar is a former, marginally successful professional fighter from Mexico who worked in a factory with De La Hoya's father, Joel De La Hoya La Hoya is a municipality located in the province of Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 30 inhabitants.  Sr.

The elder De La Hoya asked Alcazar to help out in the gym and the trainer never left. He has worked with De La Hoya in some capacity since the fighter was a 15-year-old amateur in 1988, and first took over as lead man about a year before he won a gold medal gold medal

traditional first prize. [Western Cult: Misc.]

See : Prize
 in the 1992 Olympics.

Beyond that, Alcazar had only minimal experience as a trainer with amateur and professional fighters.

That's why he's been demoted to assistant trainer - or lower - so many times.

The first time was at the start of De La Hoya's career, when his then managers Robert Mittleman and Steve Nelson
  • Steve Nelson (football player) is the New England Patriots American football player.
  • Steve Nelson (vibraphonist) is the musician.
  • Steve Nelson (Activist) refers to the Communist Party member; Spanish Civil War veteran; and U.S. Supreme Court litigant.
 brought in former champion Carlos Ortiz Carlos Ortiz (born September 9, 1936) is a Puerto Rican who was a three time world boxing champion, twice in the lightweight division and once in the Jr. Welterweights.  because they had no faith in Alcazar. Ortiz was never a good fit and lasted about a week.

Alcazar was back to No. 1.

Then, in 1995, De La Hoya struggled to beat cagey ca·gey also ca·gy  
adj. ca·gi·er, ca·gi·est
1. Wary; careful: a cagey avoidance of a definite answer.

2. Crafty; shrewd: a cagey lawyer.
 veteran John John Molina Juan Molina (born March 17, 1965), better known as John John Molina in the world of boxing, is a former boxer whose career transcended boxing in Puerto Rico. A multiple time world champion, this boxer was also known as quite a socialite.  in his 17th fight as Alcazar froze and was unable to provide instructions in the corner. Enter well-schooled Mexican trainer Jesus ``The Professor'' Rivero, who imparted many valuable lessons but was ousted when his tentative protege pro·té·gé  
n.
One whose welfare, training, or career is promoted by an influential person.



[French, from past participle of protéger, to protect, from Old French, from Latin
 barely outpointed Pernell Whitaker Pernell Whitaker (born January 2, 1964), nicknamed "Sweet Pea," is a retired professional boxer, among the greatest of all-time. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Whitaker was the lightweight silver medalist at the 1982 World Championships, followed by the gold medal at the 1983 Pan  in 1997.

Next came well-known trainer Emanuel Steward Emanuel Steward (born July 7, 1944 in Bottom Creek, West Virginia) is a boxing trainer, commentator and inductee of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Biography
Steward was born in West Virginia, and by the age of 12, he had moved with his mother to Detroit, Michigan.
, whom those in the De La Hoya camp hoped would bring back the ferocity that was lost during Rivero's defense-first tenure. Steward lasted two fights because of conflicts with Joel Sr. and adviser Mike Hernandez.

Alcazar? Back to the top, which is where he's remained.

Whether that's good or bad depends on whom you talk to.

Rivero and Mendoza, who introduced The Professor to the camp, are vicious in their criticism of Alcazar.

Asked to assess the trainer's background in boxing, Mendoza said: ``He has no background. As far as I know, he worked with 8-, 9-, 10-year-old kids and not even good amateurs. He was just friendly with Oscar's father.

``He has no qualifications. He's good at wrapping hands (his initial job with De La Hoya). He's not a good trainer, not a good teacher. In order to teach, you must know.''

``Why does De La Hoya stay with him?'' he said. ``It's a mystery. Sometimes you have a daughter who is ugly and you see her as pretty. Maybe that's it.''

Rivero had a strained relationship with Alcazar from the beginning.

As he did with the other trainers, Alcazar lobbied against bringing in Rivero for fear of losing his position. When the new trainer arrived, Alcazar wouldn't cooperate. He once referred to Rivero as as janitor when an outsider asked about him.

The two worked together only a short time before Rivero insisted that Alcazar leave camp. For a time, Alcazar was relegated to desk work in De La Hoya's business enterprises.

However, Rivero worked long enough with Alcazar to develop an opinion.

``He doesn't know how to train,'' Rivero said over the phone through an interpreter from his home in Guadalajara, Mexico. ``He's inept, inadequate. Not only is he inept, but he also puts up obstacles and doesn't let people train him properly.

``It makes me sad to see Oscar not fighting the way he should fight. He doesn't have fight plans, he doesn't fight with technique. It's like he's street fighting For other uses, see Street Fight.

Street fighting is a term used to denote unsanctioned, usually illegal, hand-to-hand fighting in public places. The term also usually carries the connotation that the fighters are largely unskilled, or at least not professional martial
.''

Alcazar, sensitive to the criticism, presents the most compelling argument in his own favor.

``The results speak for themselves,'' he said. ``What can I tell you? We've been working together for 10 years already, almost 200 times, and we haven't lost a fight.''

Bob Arum Robert "Bob" Arum (born December 8, 1931 in New York City) is a Harvard-educated lawyer who helped the White House during President John F. Kennedy's time there. He also worked for the US Attorneys Office for the southern district of New York, in the Tax division.  of Top Rank Boxing, De La Hoya's promoter, played a role in bringing in Rivero and Steward; he has had his reservations about Alcazar.

Before Rivero's arrival, Arum arum, common name for the Araceae, a plant family mainly composed of species of herbaceous terrestrial and epiphytic plants found in moist to wet habitats of the tropics and subtropics; some are native to temperate zones.  echoed the thoughts of many when he said simply, ``I think this is as far as Robert can take Oscar.''

However, now, with harmony in camp in mind, he said he believes Alcazar has evolved into a fine trainer because of the influence of the other trainers and the time he has spent in the game.

Veteran trainer Gil Clancy Gil Clancy is one of the most noted boxing commentators of the 1980s and 1990s. Prior to that, he was a boxing trainer for many years. Over the years he worked with such famous boxers as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman. , who has helped Alcazar devise strategy for the past five fights, is more vociferous in the defense of his colleague. In fact, the criticism angers him.

He's baffled by the decision to bring in outside help - including himself.

``The criticism is completely unfair,'' said Clancy, who dismissed Rivero's comments as ``sour grapes.''

``There's no question about it: He's knowledgeable. If I had a son who wanted to be a fighter, I would just as soon send him to Robert as anyone.

``Oscar couldn't be stronger in the fundamentals. Robert knows how to train a fighter. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed)

"Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party.
 what everyone is talking about.''

De La Hoya provides a ringing endorsement by keeping Alcazar around.

However, he, too, has had his doubts because he played a significant role in bringing in Rivero and Steward as lead trainers.

Now, it seems, he just wants tranquillity in camp and that's what Alcazar provides. The two are very close. Alcazar is protective of the fighter. He encourages De La Hoya's naturally aggressive style. And, again, the two have never lost together.

As another Top Rank executive, Todd du Boef said: ``He must be doing something right.''

``I feel very proud about the job I've done, about my fighter,'' Alcazar said. ``The record shows no other trainer, no other manager in boxing history has captured a gold medal and five world titles so far.

``It's Robert Alcazar who has captured that.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) Chief trainer Robert Alcazar, shown wrapping the hands of Oscar De La Hoya Oscar de la Hoya (IPA pronunciation: [ˈɑs.kɛɹ dɛ.lɑ.ˈhɔɪ.jɑ][1]) (born February 4, 1973) — nicknamed the Golden Boy , is a former professional fighter from Mexico.

(2) Oscar De La Hoya spars with his chief trainer, Robert Alcazar, at his training center in Big Bear Lake. Alcazar has his share of proponents and detractors.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
COPYRIGHT 1999 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1999, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Title Annotation:Sports
Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Sep 15, 1999
Words:1087
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